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Iowa & Iowa State NFL Draft Projections: Hawkeyes Expected to Fuel NFL Pipeline in 2026
about 2 months agoUS
The 2026 NFL Draft is underway, and several players from Iowa and Iowa State are expected to be selected. This year's draft could see Kirk Ferentz, Iowa's head coach, surpass 100 NFL draft picks, reinforcing Iowa's reputation for developing NFL-ready talent. The draft spans three days, with rounds 2-3 on Friday and rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
Key Insights
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Gennings Dunker: (Iowa, G) is projected as the first in-state player to be drafted, with projections varying across different mock drafts.
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Domonique Orange: (Iowa State, DT) is also expected to be a high pick, potentially going in the second or third round.
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Several other Hawkeyes, including Logan Jones, Max Llewellyn, Beau Stephens, Kaden Wetjen, TJ Hall, Aaron Graves, and Drew Stevens, are projected to be drafted in later rounds.
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Kirk Ferentz is approaching 100 NFL draft picks, highlighting Iowa's consistent player development pipeline to the NFL.
Why this matters: The NFL Draft is a significant event for college football programs, reflecting their ability to develop talent and prepare players for the professional level. A high number of drafted players enhances a program's reputation and can aid in recruiting future talent.
In-Depth Analysis
Multiple sources provide varying projections for Iowa and Iowa State players in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's a breakdown based on mock drafts from The Athletic, ESPN, and NFL.com:
Gennings Dunker (Iowa, G):
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The Athletic: Round 2, Pick 56 to Jacksonville Jaguars
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ESPN: Round 2, Pick 58 to San Francisco 49ers
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NFL.com: Round 2, Pick 61 to Los Angeles Rams
Domonique Orange (Iowa State, DT):
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The Athletic: Round 2, Pick 57 to Chicago Bears
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ESPN: Round 3, Pick 76 to Pittsburgh Steelers
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NFL.com: Round 4, Pick 131 to New England Patriots
Other notable projections:
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Logan Jones: (Iowa, C): Projected between rounds 3 and 4.
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Max Llewellyn: (Iowa, Edge): Projected in round 4.
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Beau Stephens: (Iowa, G): Projected between rounds 4 and 7.
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Kaden Wetjen: (Iowa, WR/Returner): Projected between rounds 5 and 6.
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TJ Hall: (Iowa, CB): Projected in round 6.
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Drew Stevens: (Iowa, K): Added by ESPN, projected in round 7.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz's success in developing NFL talent is a recurring theme. With a potential eight or nine Hawkeyes drafted this year, Ferentz is set to solidify his place among the top college coaches for producing NFL players.
Actionable Takeaways:
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For aspiring college football players: Iowa and Iowa State offer strong development pathways to the NFL.
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For NFL teams: These Iowa and Iowa State prospects represent potential value picks throughout the draft.
FAQs
How many players from Iowa and Iowa State are expected to be drafted in 2026?
Mock drafts project multiple players from both universities to be selected, with Iowa having a larger contingent.
Which Iowa player is projected to be drafted highest?
Gennings Dunker, an Iowa guard, is consistently projected as the first player from either school to be drafted.
How close is Kirk Ferentz to reaching 100 NFL draft picks?
Entering the 2026 draft, Kirk Ferentz has 94 players drafted during his tenure at Iowa. This draft could see him surpass the 100 mark.
Key Takeaways
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The 2026 NFL Draft is a showcase for Iowa and Iowa State talent.
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Gennings Dunker and Domonique Orange are the top prospects from their respective schools.
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Kirk Ferentz's player development program at Iowa continues to produce NFL-caliber players.
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Keep an eye on later rounds for potential value picks from both universities.
Discussion
Do you think these Iowa and Iowa State players will live up to their draft projections? Let us know!
Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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